Nov. 10, 2010
RUSTON - Louisiana Tech enters this season as a senior-laden basketball team. With that in mind, LA Tech head coach Teresa Weatherspoon understood how important this year's signing class was to the future of the Lady Techster basketball program.
The Hall of Fame coach and her staff knew it was vital to find the next class that would step in and help fill the holes that will be left by the graduation of five talented seniors.
On Wednesday, Tech's staff did just that with the signing of four high school prep stars to national letters of intent, including guard Kanedria Andrews (El Dorado, Ark./El Dorado HS), guard Courtney Hayes (Las Vegas, Nevada/Centennial HS), forward Savanna Langston (El Dorado, Ark./Parkers Chapel HS) and guard Laura Owen (Benton, La./Benton HS).
"All of these kids bring such an immediate impact to our program," Weatherspoon said. "They all have a confident swagger. They don't have a freshmen mentality; they feel like this is basketball and I'm willing to play against the best."
Andrews is a 5-foot-9-inch guard that reminds the Tech coaching staff of current Lady Techster senior Tarkeisha Wysinger-Mackey.
"The thing I like about Kanedria is wherever the ball is, that is where you will see Kanedria," Weatherspoon said. "She is just a great defender from one end (of the floor) to the other. She understands the concepts of defense. She is in the TK mold; exactly like her. She is a slasher; a great rebounding guard."
Andrews earned all-area and all-defensive team honors by the El Dorado News-Times last year despite playing in a limited role for head coach Steven Harshaw's Wildcats who were a senior-laden team that saw seven players sign college scholarships.
"I chose LA Tech because it's the school I've always wanted to go to," Andrews said. "I love that basketball program, and I love Coach Weatherspoon. I know she is a great coach."
Andrews averaged 6.4 points, 7.1 rebounds and 2.3 steals while helping El Dorado High School post a 26-5 record and advance to the Class 6A state semifinals.
"Kanedria is another very good all-around player," Harshaw said. "She can handle the ball and is a strong post-minded guard. She has a very good three-point shot. She is a defensive juggernaut. She can guard anyone from the point guard to the post. Her attitude is what makes her so good. She has a won't-quit, won't-lose mindset."
Hayes is a 5-foot-6-inch point guard that is considered one of the top players and the top student-athletes in the state of Nevada.
"She is a lefty, and lefties are amazing," Weatherspoon said. "She is a coachable kid who has been coached well and knows the game. She understands the importance of the point guard position. She is more of traditional point guard as she gets everyone else involved first and then herself. She can score at will. She is a scorer; a basketball player. If you ask her to do something, then it gets done."
Hayes averaged 16.0 points, 9.9 rebounds, 5.7 steals and 5.4 assists per game last year while leading Centennial to a 25-5 record and the regional championship. As a sophomore she led the program to the state championship title.
"There are a lot of reasons I chose LA Tech," Hayes said. "Coach Weatherspoon is one of the best. The program's history is incredible, and the team was so welcoming (on my visit). My mom loved them. They really welcomed me. I know that the (class) coming in and the players that are returning will make a difference in the history of the program."
The three-time scholar athlete award winner was named the top African American scholar in the state by the University of Nevada-Las Vegas. She is a McDonald's All-American nominee.
"I've followed coach (Teresa) Weatherspoon throughout her career and she and Courtney are like two peas in a pod," said Centennial coach Karen Weitz. "Courtney has the same passion for the game, the get-after-you attitude, the work for perfection that I've seen in Teresa. Those are two people who are meant to work together."
Langston will provide some needed size inside for the Lady Techsters over the next four years as the 6-foot-2 forward brings a well-rounded game to LA Tech.
"Savanna can do it all," Weatherspoon said. "She can turn and face up, knock down jumpers, and put the ball on the floor and get to the rim. She can run the floor. She is a great rebounder; long and incredibly athletic."
Langston averaged 16.7 points, 12.1 rebounds and 5.2 blocks per game as a junior while helping lead Parkers Chapel to a 26-4 record and the Class 3A state semifinals. The previous year, she led the program to a 24-7 mark and the state quarterfinals.
"I think she has tremendous upside; she is a very hard worker," said Parkers Chapel coach Mark Young, who coached former LA Tech great Tasha Williams during his time at Kingsland High School. "I think she will fit in really well at Louisiana Tech. She will be a very sound, very fundamental player for four years. LA Tech fans will fall in love with her from the very beginning."
Langston was named the El Dorado News-Times Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year while also earning all-state honors the past two years. She is also a McDonald's All-American nominee.
"I felt like I really fit in well with the program and the players," Langston said. "I felt like it was what was best for me. The energy Coach Weatherspoon has really makes you want to go play for her."
By signing with Louisiana Tech, Owen follows in her father Chuck's footsteps, who was a cross country runner for the Bulldogs in the early 1980s. The 5-foot-9-inch shooting guard will bring intangibles for the Techster roster.
"What I saw in Laura that was so important to me was her leadership," Weatherspoon said. "She is a player who never gets rattled. She knows how to get everyone around her involved. She takes over when she has the opportunity. Laura is a good, consistent outside shooter that we need. What I like the most is she will play smart and hard every night."
As a junior at Benton, Owen helped lead the Lady Tigers to a 20-win season while averaging 8.5 points, 5.1 assists, 4.2 rebounds and 3.0 steals per game. She shot 45 percent from the field and 37 percent from the three-point line.
"Laura is your typical good, all-around, great student-athlete who everybody likes," said Benton coach Mary Ward. "She is a very unselfish player and is one who would rather others got the glory. She's a good leader."
Owen is a two-time all-district selection who said she has always dreamed about being a Lady Techster.
"I've been a fan of Louisiana Tech my whole life," Owen said. "As soon as they offered me I knew it was the right place. They are all just like a family."
Weatherspoon said she still expects to sign one more before the early signing period ends.
Kanedria Andrews 5-9, Guard El Dorado, Ark. (El Dorado HS) High School: Lettered for two years for Coach Steven Harshaw at El Dorado High School ... Averaged 6.4 points, 7.1 rebounds and 2.3 steals as a junior, while leading El Dorado to the Class 6A state semifinals ... Named to the El Dorado News-Times All-Area and All-Defensive teams ... Personal: Full name is Kanedria LaKole Andrews ... Daughter of Lanett Cooper ... Has two brothers, LaRodd Andrews and Kendon Andrews ... Has one sister, LaPreta Sophous ... Born Dec. 6, 1992 in El Dorado, Ark. ... Age 17.
Courtney Hayes Guard 5-6 Las Vegas, Nevada (Centennial HS) High School: Lettered for four years for Coach Karen Weitz at Centennial High School in Las Vegas ... Averaged 16.0 points, 9.9 rebounds, 5.4 assists and 5.7 steals per game as a junior ... Named first team all-division as a sophomore and junior and second team all-state as a junior ... A McDonald's All-American nominee ... Led Centennial to a record of 25-5 and advanced to the regional championship as a junior ... Led the program to the state high school championship as a sophomore ... Named Nevada's Top African-American scholar by the University of Nevada-Las Vegas ... Earned the Citizenship Award given by the school's principal as a freshman ... Three-time Scholar Athlete award ... Personal: Full name is Courtney Ciera Hayes ... Daughter of John Hayes and Catherine Allen ... Has one brother, C.J. Hayes, and three stepbrothers, Chase McCurdy, Caleb Allen, and Cameron Allen ... Has one stepsister, Carmella Allen ... Born March 15, 1993 in Las Vegas ... Age 17.
Savanna Langston 6-2, Forward El Dorado, Ark. (Parkers Chapel HS) High School: Lettered for four years on varsity for Coach Mark Young at Parkers Chapel High School in El Dorado, Arkansas ... Averaged 16.7 points, 12 rebounds and 5.2 blocked shots while shooting 55 percent from field and 78 percent from the free throw line ... As a junior led the Lady Trojans a 26-4 record and the Class 3A state semifinals ... As a sophomore led the team to a 24-7 record and the state quarterfinals ... Named the El Dorado News-Times Player of the Year and the El Dorado News-Times Defensive Player of the Year ... Named all-state as sophomore and junior ... Named to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette's All-Arkansas second team ... A McDonald's All-American nominee ... Named to the All-Golden Triangle team by the South Arkansas Sunday News ... Personal: Full name is Savanna Renee Langston ... Daughter of Ralph and Kim Langston ... Has one brother, Taylor ... Born Feb. 6, 1993 in El Dorado ... Age 17.
Laura Owen 5-9, Guard Benton, La. (Benton HS) High School: Started all four years for coach Mary Ward at Benton High School ... Averaged 8.5 points, 5.1 assists, 4.2 rebounds and 3.0 steals per game as a junior ... Helped lead the Lady Tigers to a 20-16 and advanced to the state playoffs ... Shot 45 percent from the field, 37 percent from the three-point line, and 65 percent from the free throw line ... Named two-time all-District 1-4A ... Personal: Full name is Laura Gaye Owen ... Daughter of Chuck and Carolyn Owen ... Has one sister, Emma ... Her father ran cross country at Louisiana Tech in the early 1980s ... Born March 25, 1993 in Baton Rouge, La. ... Age 17.
